U.S. patent number 11,338,605 [Application Number 16/939,137] was granted by the patent office on 2022-05-24 for paper sheet processing apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Horizon International Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Horizon International Inc.. Invention is credited to Kohei Okamoto, Hiroto Otani, Shigeru Wakimoto.
United States Patent |
11,338,605 |
Wakimoto , et al. |
May 24, 2022 |
Paper sheet processing apparatus
Abstract
A paper sheet S is intermittently transported by a transport
mechanism 6 and each processing unit 7, 8 operates while the
transport mechanism pauses the transport operation. An information
acquisition unit 9 obtains paper information from the paper sheet.
A control unit 10 stores the paper information of the paper sheet
to be processed for each processing unit, updates the data of the
memory in a manner such that the paper information of the paper
sheet associated with the previous processing unit is associated
with the next processing unit every time the transport mechanism
transports, and configures the settings of each processing unit for
the next processing operation based on the paper information every
time the processing operation of the processing unit is
completed.
Inventors: |
Wakimoto; Shigeru (Takashima,
JP), Okamoto; Kohei (Takashima, JP), Otani;
Hiroto (Takashima, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Horizon International Inc. |
Takashima |
N/A |
JP |
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|
Assignee: |
Horizon International Inc.
(Shiga, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
1000006326056 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/939,137 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2020 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20210039415 A1 |
Feb 11, 2021 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Aug 7, 2019 [JP] |
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JP2019-145541 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42C
19/02 (20130101); B65H 45/22 (20130101); B42B
4/00 (20130101); B65H 45/18 (20130101); B65H
45/142 (20130101); B65H 2801/48 (20130101); B65H
2511/224 (20130101); B65H 2511/13 (20130101); B65H
2404/2614 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B42B
4/00 (20060101); B65H 45/18 (20060101); B65H
45/14 (20060101); B42C 19/02 (20060101); B65H
45/22 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2018/025464 |
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Feb 2018 |
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WO |
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2018/207335 |
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Nov 2018 |
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WO |
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Other References
Extended European Search Report for corresponding EP Application
No. 20186915.3 dated Jan. 15, 2021. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Mackey; Patrick H
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Renner, Otto, Boisselle &
Sklar, LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A paper sheet processing apparatus comprising: a transport
mechanism intermittently transporting a paper sheet on a transport
path; a plurality of processing units arranged along the transport
path so as to process the paper sheet; an information acquisition
unit arranged at an entrance of the transport path or upstream of a
most upstream unit of the processing units so as to obtain paper
information from the paper sheet; and a control unit controlling
the transport mechanism and the processing units, wherein the paper
sheet is transported by the transport mechanism from unit to unit
between the processing units or between the information acquisition
unit and a most downstream unit of the processing units, and while
the transport mechanism pauses the transport operation, each of the
processing units processes the associated paper sheet, wherein the
control unit comprises a memory for storing the paper information
of the paper sheet to be processed for each processing unit, a
memory control section updating data of the memory in a manner such
that the paper information of the paper sheet associated with the
previous processing unit which has processed the paper sheet is
associated with the next processing unit each time the transport
mechanism transports, and a processing unit setting section
configuring the settings of each of the processing units for the
next processing operation based on the paper information of the
memory each time the processing operation of each of the processing
units is completed, and further comprising at least one sensor
arranged at each of the processing units so as to detect the paper
sheet in the range of the associated processing unit, wherein the
memory is adapted to hold the paper information even when the
operation of the paper sheet processing apparatus is stopped,
wherein the control unit further comprises a paper existence
determination section determining based on detection signals of the
sensors whether the paper sheet exists or not in the range of each
of the processing units each time the transport mechanism pauses
the transport operation, wherein, when the paper existence
determination section determines that the paper sheet does not
exist, the paper information associated with the corresponding
processing unit is deleted from the memory by the memory control
section.
2. The paper sheet processing unit according to claim 1, wherein
the paper information is a thickness of the paper sheet or a
vertical and horizontal size of the paper sheet or a vertical and
horizontal size of a product to be made of the paper sheet or the
quality of the paper sheet or the identification code on the paper
sheet or a combination of two or more thereof.
3. A paper sheet processing apparatus comprising: a transport
mechanism intermittently transporting a paper sheet on a transport
path; a plurality of processing units arranged along the transport
path so as to process the paper sheet; an information acquisition
unit arranged at an entrance of the transport path or upstream of a
most upstream unit of the processing units so as to obtain paper
information from the paper sheet; and a control unit controlling
the transport mechanism and the processing units, wherein the paper
sheet is transported by the transport mechanism from unit to unit
between the processing units or between the information acquisition
unit and a most downstream unit of the processing units, and while
the transport mechanism pauses the transport operation, each of the
processing units processes the associated paper sheet, wherein the
control unit comprises a memory for storing the paper information
of the paper sheet to be processed for each processing unit, a
memory control section updating data of the memory in a manner such
that the paper information of the paper sheet associated with the
previous processing unit which has processed the paper sheet is
associated with the next processing unit each time the transport
mechanism transports, and a processing unit setting section
configuring the settings of each of the processing units for the
next processing operation based on the paper information of the
memory each time the processing operation of each of the processing
units is completed, wherein the paper sheet processing apparatus is
a paper stack supplying apparatus arranged between a paper stacking
apparatus and a bookbinding apparatus which has at least one
clamper so as to supply a paper stack received from the paper
stacking apparatus to the at least one clamper, and wherein the
processing units are a jogger and a press unit which is arranged
adjacently downstream of the jogger.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a paper sheet processing
apparatus.
Here, the technical term "paper sheet" means a paper (sheet) stack,
a signature, a signature stack and a book block and so on in
addition to a sheet (piece) of paper. The same hereinafter.
BACKGROUND ART
As a conventional paper sheet processing apparatus, there is, for
example, a saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus disclosed in WO
2018/207335 A1.
The saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus comprises a paper supplying
machine supplying paper sheets one by one from a stack of sheets, a
folding machine folding the paper sheet supplied from the sheet
supplying machine to form a signature, a saddle stitching machine
stapling and folding the signature, a connection unit arranged
between the folding machine and the saddle stitching machine so as
to transport the signature from the folding machine to the saddle
stitching machine, and a controller controlling the paper supplying
machine, the folding machine, the saddle stitching machine and the
connection unit.
The folding machine comprises a buckle-type folding unit which
folds the paper sheet in a direction at a right angle to the paper
supply direction and a knife-type folding unit which further folds
the paper sheet folded by the buckle-type folding unit in a
direction at a right angle to the previous folding direction to
form the signature.
The saddle stitching machine comprises a folding unit mountain
folding (folding in two) the signature supplied from the folding
machine along a predetermined folding line, a stitching unit
arranged downstream of the folding unit so as to staple the
two-folded signature at one or more predetermined positions on the
folding line, and a discharging unit arranged downstream of the
stitching unit to transport the stapled and two-folded signature to
an exit of the saddle stitching apparatus.
The stitching unit has a transport mechanism transporting the
two-folded signature in a saddle manner, a stitcher arranged at a
stitching position on a transport path of the transport mechanism
to staple the two-folded signature at one or more predetermined
positions on the folding line, and a wire detection sensor arranged
at the stitching position to detect the presence of a wire to be
driven from the stitcher to the signature.
The discharging unit has a press roller pair extending across a
transport path extended from the stitching unit to the exit of the
saddle stitching machine, a pair of conveyor belt pairs arranged
parallel with the transport path and spaced from each other in a
width direction of the transport path, and a center brush arranged
above the transport path and between the pair of conveyor belt
pairs.
Then the stapled and two-folded signature is passed through a gap
between the press roller pair, passed through a gap between the
respective conveyor belt pairs while being in contact with the
center brush at an upper surface thereof and transported to the
exit of the saddle stitching machine.
In this saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus, before starting
operation, parameters of the folding machine adjustable depending
on the thickness of the paper sheet (a gap between respective
roller pairs of the buckle-type folding unit and a gap between a
pair of folding rollers of the knife-type folding unit) are set by
the controller based on the information about the thickness of the
paper sheet, and parameters of the saddle stitching machine
adjustable depending on the thickness of the signature (a length of
wire fed into a stitcher head 9b at every stapling of the stitcher,
a height of the wire detection sensor, the gap between the press
roller pair, the gap between the respective conveyor belt pairs and
a height of the center brush) are set by the controller based on
the information about the thickness of the signature which is
calculated by the controller using the information about the
thickness of the paper sheet and the information about a folding
pattern of the folding machine.
Thus the paper supplying machine, the folding machine, the
connection unit and the saddle stitching machine are operated in
synchronization with each other by the controller, thereby the
saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus is operated at the timing when
the next signature is supplied from the connection unit to the
saddle stitching unit when the two-folded signature is fed to the
stitching unit from the folding unit of the saddle stitching
machine.
As another conventional paper sheet processing apparatus, there is,
for example, a non-stitch bookbinding apparatus disclosed in WO
2018/025464 A1.
The non-stitch bookbinding apparatus comprises at least one clamper
movable along a transport path, a series of processing units (a
milling unit, a glue application unit and a cover attachment unit)
arranged along the transport path to carry out bookbinding, a cover
supplying unit supplying a cover to the cover attachment unit, and
a controller controlling those units and the at least one clamper,
wherein a book block is bound while being gripped by the at least
one clamper and passed through the series of processing units.
The clamper(s) and the processing units have parameters adjustable
depending on the thickness of the book block, and before the
bookbinding apparatus starts to operate, the controller calculates
set values of those parameters based on the information of book
block thickness and performs initial settings of the clamper(s) and
the processing units according to the set values of the
parameters.
Thus, in the conventional bookbinding apparatus, when the type of
paper sheet to be processed is changed, paper sheets after the
change are not supplied in the bookbinding apparatus until all of
paper sheets before the change are processed, and after the
processing of the paper sheets before the change is completed, the
bookbinding apparatus is stopped.
Then the parameters of the bookbinding apparatus are reset based on
the information of paper sheet after the change, thereafter the
paper sheets after the change is supplied in the bookbinding
apparatus and the bookbinding apparatus starts to operate.
On the other hand, in recent years, the variable bookbinding
suitable for producing various kinds of bound products in small
lots is becoming widespread instead of the conventional bookbinding
suitable for mass-producing one type of bound product as the demand
for on-demand printing grows.
However, according to the above-mentioned conventional paper sheet
processing apparatus, whenever the type of paper sheet to be
processed is changed, an operator must stop the paper sheet
processing apparatus so as to reset parameters of the paper sheet
processing apparatus based on the information of paper sheet after
the change, thereby when different types of paper sheets are
processed in small lots, the production efficiency may drop
significantly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a
paper sheet processing apparatus suitable for processing different
types of paper sheets in small rots.
Means for Solving the Problems
In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a
paper sheet processing apparatus comprising: a transport mechanism
intermittently transporting a paper sheet on a transport path; a
plurality of processing units arranged along the transport path so
as to process the paper sheet; an information acquisition unit
arranged at an entrance of the transport path or upstream of a most
upstream unit of the processing units so as to obtain paper
information from the paper sheet; and a control unit controlling
the transport mechanism and the processing units, wherein the paper
sheet is transported by the transport mechanism from unit to unit
between the processing units or between the information acquisition
unit and a most downstream unit of the processing units, and while
the transport mechanism pauses the transport operation, each of the
processing units processes the associated paper sheet, wherein the
control unit comprises a memory for storing the paper information
of the paper sheet to be processed for each processing unit, a
memory control section updating data of the memory in a manner such
that the paper information of the paper sheet associated with the
previous processing unit which has processed the paper sheet is
associated with the next processing unit each time the transport
mechanism transports, and a processing unit setting section
configuring the settings of each of the processing units for the
next processing operation based on the paper information of the
memory each time the processing operation of each of the processing
units is completed.
Here, a technical term "paper sheet" means a paper sheet stack, a
signature, a signature stack and a book block and so on in addition
to a sheet (piece) of paper.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
paper sheet processing apparatus further comprises at least one
sensor arranged at each of the processing units so as to detect the
paper sheet in the range of the associated processing unit, wherein
the memory is adapted to hold the paper information even when the
operation of the paper sheet processing apparatus is stopped,
wherein the control unit further comprises a paper existence
determination section determining based on detection signals of the
sensors whether the paper sheet exists or not in the range of each
of the processing units each time the transport mechanism pauses
the transport operation, wherein, when the paper existence
determination section determines that the paper sheet does not
exist, the paper information associated with the corresponding
processing unit is deleted from the memory by the memory control
section.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the paper information is a thickness of the paper sheet or a
vertical and horizontal size of the paper sheet or a vertical and
horizontal size of a product to be made of the paper sheet or the
quality of the paper sheet or the identification code on the paper
sheet or a combination of two or more thereof.
According to further preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the paper sheet processing apparatus is a paper stack supplying
apparatus arranged between a paper stacking apparatus and a
bookbinding apparatus which has at least one clamper so as to
supply a paper stack received from the paper stacking apparatus to
the at least one clamper, wherein the processing units are a jogger
and a press unit which is arranged adjacently downstream of the
jogger.
Effect of the Invention
According to the present invention, the transport mechanism is
arranged for intermittently transporting the paper sheet, and the
processing units are arranged along the transport path, and the
information acquisition unit is arranged at the entrance of the
transport path or upstream of the most upstream unit of the
processing units, whereby the paper sheet is transported by the
transport mechanism from unit to unit and each of the processing
units operates while the transport mechanism pauses the transport
operation.
Furthermore the paper information of the paper sheet to be
processed for each processing unit is stored in the memory, and the
data of the memory is updated in a manner such that the paper
information of the paper sheet associated with the previous
processing unit which has processed the paper sheet is associated
with the next processing unit each time the transport mechanism
transports, and the settings of each processing unit are configured
for the next processing operation based on the paper information of
the memory each time the processing operation of the processing
unit is completed.
Thus the type of paper sheet can be changed during operation of the
paper sheet processing apparatus so that an operator has no need
for stopping the paper sheet processing apparatus every time the
type of paper sheet is changed, and accordingly, the production
efficiency greatly improves when different types of paper sheets
are processed in small lots.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a paper sheet processing apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are views similar to FIG. 1, illustrating the
movement of the paper sheet processing apparatus shown in FIG.
1
FIGS. 3A and 3B are views similar to FIG. 1, illustrating the
operation of the paper sheet processing apparatus shown in FIG.
1.
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 3A and 3B, illustrating the
operation of the paper sheet processing apparatus shown in FIG.
1.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained
below with reference to accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a paper sheet processing apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, in this embodiment, a paper sheet processing
apparatus 1 is a paper stack supplying apparatus arranged between a
paper stacking apparatus 2 and a bookbinding apparatus 3 which has
at least one clamper 4 so as to supply a paper stack S received
from the paper stacking apparatus 2 to the at least one clamper 4
of the bookbinding apparatus 3.
The paper sheet processing apparatus (paper stack supplying
apparatus) 1 comprises a transport mechanism 6 intermittently
transporting the paper stack S, which is supplied by the paper
stacking apparatus 2, along a transport path 5, a first processing
unit (jogger) 7 and a second processing unit (press unit) 8 which
are arranged along the transport path 5 so as to process the paper
stack S, an information acquisition unit 9 arranged upstream of the
first processing unit 7 on the transport path 5 so as to obtain
paper information from the paper stack S, and a control unit 10
controlling the transport mechanism 6 and the first and second
processing units 7, 8.
In this embodiment, a horizontal plate 11 with L-shaped cross
section is attached to a frame (not shown) of the paper stack
supplying apparatus 1 in a way such that an inside surface of the
plate 11 opens upwardly and both a vertical wall 11a and a
horizontal wall 11b of the plate 11 slope. The transport path 5
consists of the inside surface of the plate 11.
The paper stack S supplied from the paper stacking apparatus 2 is
placed on the transport path 5 in such a manner that a spine of the
paper stack S contacts with the sloping horizontal wall 11b of the
plate 11 and a front or back surface of the paper stack S contacts
with the sloping vertical wall 11a of the plate 11.
It should be noted that a portion of FIG. 1 drawing the paper stack
supplying apparatus is drawn as a schematic plan view of the paper
stack supplying apparatus viewed in a direction toward the sloping
vertical wall 11a of the plate 11.
The transport mechanism 6 comprises a pair of rotary shafts 6a, 6a,
a sprocket 6b, 6b mounted on each of the rotary shafts 6a, 6a, an
endless chain 6c extended between the sprockets 6b, 6b, feed claws
6d attached to the endless chain 6c and evenly spaced along the
length of the endless chain 6c, and a drive mechanism (not shown)
rotating one of the rotary shafts 6a, 6a.
In this case, the vertical wall 11a of the plate 11 is provided
with a slit (not shown) and the feed claws 6d protrude to the
surface of the vertical wall (transport path 5) through the
slit.
As can be seen from the drawing, the information acquisition unit 9
and the first and second processing units 7, 8 are arranged with an
interval corresponding to the interval between adjacent feed claws
6d of the transport mechanism 6.
Thus the endless chain 6c is intermittently rotated by a distance
corresponding to the interval between the adjacent feed claws 6d so
that the feed claws 6d push a top or bottom of the associated paper
stack S, thereby the paper stack S is intermittently transported
from the information acquisition unit 9 to the second processing
unit 8 through the first processing unit 7 so as to be transported
from unit to unit.
Furthermore, while the transport mechanism 6 pauses the transport
operation, each of the first and second processing units 7, 8
processes the associated paper stack S. The paper stack S processed
by the second processing unit 8 is delivered form the second
processing unit 8 to the clamper 3 of the bookbinding apparatus 2
by a paper stack delivery mechanism (not shown) before the
transport mechanism 6 starts the next transport operation or at the
same time as the next transport operation of the transport
mechanism 6.
In this embodiment, the information acquisition unit 9 is a bar
code or a QR code reader, and arranged opposite to the inside
surface of the sloping vertical wall 11a of the plate 11.
On the other hand, a surface of the paper stack S facing to the
information acquisition unit 9 (the front or back surface of the
paper stack S) is provided with a bar code or a QR code into which
the paper information of the paper stack S.
Accordingly, the paper information is obtained from the paper stack
S by the information acquisition unit 9 every time the paper stack
S stops in the range of the information acquisition unit 9.
In this embodiment, the paper information is a thickness of the
paper stack S, and a vertical and horizontal size of the paper
stack S, and the quality of paper sheets forming the paper stack
S(distinction between coated and fine paper etc.), and a thickness
per sheet of the paper stack S.
In this embodiment, the first processing unit (jogger) 7 performs
processing operation to arrange the paper stack S.
The first processing unit 7 comprises a jogging guide 7a which jogs
the paper stack S in a longitudinal direction (directing from top
to bottom of the paper stack S) while vibrating the paper stack S,
a vibration mechanism (not shown) vibrating the jogging guide 7a,
and one or more air nozzles (not shown) blowing an air on the paper
stack S so as to separate the paper sheets.
The position of the jogging guide 7a is adjustable depending on the
vertical and horizontal size and thickness of the paper stack S,
and the vibration speed of the jogging guide 7a is adjustable
depending on the thickness of the paper stack S and the quality of
paper sheets forming the paper stack S and the thickness per sheet
of the paper stack S, and the air volume and pressure of the air
blown from the air nozzle are adjustable depending on the vertical
and horizontal size and thickness of the paper stack S, and the
time and number of jogging are adjustable depending on the vertical
and horizontal size and thickness of the paper stack S.
The second processing unit (press unit) 8 performs processing
operation to remove excess air from the paper stack S by pressing
the paper stack S so that the arrangement of the paper stack S is
prevented from breaking in subsequent processing.
The second processing unit 8 comprises a stopper (not shown) for
positioning the paper stack S at a press position, a press plate
8a, and a drive mechanism (not shown) driving the press plate
8a.
The position of the stopper is adjustable depending on the vertical
and horizontal size of the paper stack S, and the pressing pressure
and pressing time of the press plate 8a is adjustable depending on
the thickness of the paper stack S.
The control unit 10 comprises a memory 12 for storing the paper
information of the paper stack S to be processed for each
processing unit 7, 8, and a memory control section 13 updating data
of the memory in a manner such that the paper information of the
paper stack S associated with the previous processing unit which
has processed the paper sheet is associated with the next
processing unit each time the transport mechanism transports 6.
The memory 12 is adapted to hold the paper information even when
the operation of the paper sheet processing apparatus 1 is
stopped.
The control unit 10 also comprises a processing unit setting
section 14 configuring the settings of each of the first and second
processing units 7, 8 for the next processing operation based on
the paper information of the memory 12 each time the processing
operation of each of the first and second processing units 7, 8 is
completed.
Next, the operation of the paper sheet processing apparatus 1 of
the present invention will be explained in more detail.
FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3A, 3B are views similar to FIG. 1, illustrating
the operation of the paper sheet processing apparatus 1 shown in
FIG. 1.
In FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3A, 3B, the control unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 is
omitted. Furthermore, in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3A, 3B, the numeral 17
designates a data array in the memory 12, in which the paper
information obtained by the information acquisition unit 9 is
stored in a start address (i), and the paper information of the
paper stack S to be processed by the first processing unit 7 is
stored in a second address (ii), and the paper information of the
paper stack S to be processed by the second processing unit 8 is
stored in the third address (iii).
As shown in FIG. 2A, while the transport mechanism 6 of the paper
sheet processing apparatus 1 pauses the transport operation, the
paper information D1 is obtained from a first paper stack S1 by the
information acquisition unit 9 and stored in the start address (i)
of the data array 17 in the memory 12 when the first paper stack S1
is supplied from the paper stacking apparatus 2 to the information
acquisition unit 9.
Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, the transport mechanism 6 performs a
first transport operation so as to transport the first paper stack
S from the information acquisition unit 9 to the first processing
unit 7, thereafter the transport mechanism stops.
At the same time as the start of the first transport operation, the
paper information D1 is deleted from the start address (i) of the
data array 17 and stored in the second address (ii) of the data
array 17.
Furthermore, the parameters of the first processing unit 7 to be
adjusted are set based on the paper information D1 stored in the
data array 17 before the start of the first transport operation or
during the first transport operation.
After that, the first processing unit 7 performs a first processing
operation to process the first paper stack S1.
Then a second paper stack S2 is supplied from the paper stacking
apparatus 2 to the information acquisition unit 9, and the paper
information D2 is obtained from the second paper stack S2 by the
information acquisition unit 7 and stored in the start address (i)
of the data array 17.
Next, as shown in FIG. 3A, the transport mechanism 6 performs a
second transport operation in a manner such that the first paper
stack S1 is transported from the first processing unit 7 to the
second processing unit 8 and the second paper stack S2 is
transported from the information acquisition unit 7 to the first
processing unit 7, thereafter the transport mechanism 6 stops.
At the same time as the start of the second transport operation,
the paper information D1 is deleted from the second address (ii) of
the data array 17 and stored in the third address (iii) of the data
array 17, and the paper information D2 is deleted form the start
address (i) of the data array 13 and stored in the second address
(ii) of the data array 13.
After the first processing operation of the first processing unit
7, the parameters of each of the first and second processing units
7, 8 to be adjusted are set based on the associated paper
information D1 and D2 stored in the data array 17.
While the transport mechanism 8 pauses the transport operation, the
second processing unit 8 performs a first processing operation to
process the first paper stack S1 and the first processing unit 7
performs a second processing operation to process the second paper
stack S2.
Then a third paper stack S3 is supplied from the paper stacking
apparatus 2 to the information acquisition unit 9, and the paper
information D3 is obtained from the third paper stack S3 by the
information acquisition unit 9 and stored in the start address (i)
of the data array 17.
As shown in FIG. 3B, after the first paper stack S1 is processed by
the second processing unit 8 and supplied to the clamper 3 of the
bookbinding apparatus 2 by the paper stack delivery mechanism (not
shown), the transport mechanism 6 performs a third transport
operation in a manner such that the second paper stack S2 is
transported from the first processing unit 7 to the second
processing unit 8 and the third paper stack S3 is transported from
the paper information acquisition unit 9 to the first processing
unit 7, thereafter the transport mechanism 6 stops.
At the same time as the start of the third transport operation, the
paper information D1 is deleted from the third address (iii) of the
data array 17, and the paper information D2 is deleted from the
second address (ii) of the data array 17 and stored in the third
address (iii) of the data array 17, and the paper information D3 is
deleted form the start address (i) of the data array 13 and stored
in the second address (ii) of the data array 13.
When the paper information D1 deleted from the third address (iii)
of the data array 17 is required by a machine which is arranged
downstream of the paper sheet processing apparatus 1, the paper
information D1 is transferred to a control section of the
machine.
After each of the second processing operation of the first
processing unit 7 and the first processing operation of the second
processing unit 8 is completed, the parameters of each of the first
and second processing units 7, 8 to be adjusted are set based on
the associated paper information D3, D2 stored in the data array
17.
While the transport mechanism 8 pauses the transport operation, the
second processing unit 8 performs a second processing operation to
process the second paper stack S2 and the first processing unit 7
performs a third processing operation to process the third paper
stack S3.
Then a forth paper stack S4 is supplied from the paper stacking
apparatus 2 to the information acquisition unit 9, and the paper
information D4 is obtained from the forth paper stack S4 by the
information acquisition unit 7 and stored in the start address (i)
of the data array 17.
The above operation is repeated during the operation of the paper
sheet processing apparatus 1.
According to the paper sheet processing apparatus 1, the type of
paper stack S can be changed during operation of the paper sheet
processing apparatus 1 so that an operator has no need for stopping
the paper sheet processing apparatus 1 every time the type of paper
stack S is changed, and accordingly, the production efficiency
greatly improves when different types of paper stack S are
processed in small lots.
The paper sheet processing apparatus 1 further comprises a sensor
15 arranged at each of the first and second processing units 7, 8
so as to detect the paper stack S in the range of the associated
processing unit 7, 8.
In this embodiment, the sensor 15 is a reflective optical sensor,
and arranged behind the vertical wall 11a of the plate 11 within
the associated processing unit 7, 8 and opposite to the vertical
wall 11a.
A detection window (not shown) is formed in an area of the vertical
wall 11a overlapped with a detection area of the sensor 15.
The control unit 10 further comprises a paper existence
determination section 16 determining based on detection signals of
the sensors 15 whether the paper stack S exists or not in the range
of each of the first and second processing units 7, 8 each time the
transport mechanism 6 pauses the transport operation.
When the paper existence determination section 16 determines that
the paper stack S does not exist, the paper information associated
with the corresponding processing unit 7, 8 is deleted from the
memory 12 by the memory control section 13.
This will be explained specifically with reference to the
drawing.
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 3A and 3B, illustrating the
operation of the paper sheet processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1,
wherein the paper sheet processing apparatus stops to operate
automatically due to error or the paper sheet processing apparatus
1 is stopped to operate manually by an operator so that the third
paper stack S3 is removed from the first processing unit (jogger) 7
in which the problem occurred.
In this case, the paper existence determination section 16
determines that the paper stack S3 does not exist within the first
processing unit (jogger) 7, the paper information D3 associated
with the first processing unit 7 is deleted from the second address
(ii) of the data array 17 by the memory control section 13.
On the other hand, the paper information D4 and D2 stored in the
remaining addresses (first and third addresses) of the data array
17 is held.
Thus, when the paper sheet processing apparatus 1 stops to operate
automatically due to error or is stopped to operate manually by an
operator and the paper stack S is removed from the processing unit
7, 8 in which the problem occurred, the paper sheet processing
apparatus 1 can be restarted without removal of the paper stack S
which is in the range of each of the remaining processing units 7,
8, and accordingly, it is possible to prevent a decrease in
production efficiency.
While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been set
forth for purposes of illustration, the foregoing description
should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein.
Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives
may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit and the scope of the present invention.
For example, although, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the
information acquisition unit is arranged upstream of the most
upstream unit of the processing units and the paper stack is
transported by the transport mechanism from unit to unit between
the information acquisition unit and the most downstream unit of
the processing units, the information acquisition unit may be
arranged at an entrance of the transport path and the paper stack
may be transported by the transport mechanism from unit to unit
between the processing units.
Also, although the paper sheet processing apparatus is the paper
stack supplying apparatus, a configuration of the paper sheet
processing apparatus is not limited to the above-mentioned
embodiment.
The paper sheet processing apparatus may have any configuration as
long as the paper sheet processing apparatus comprises a transport
mechanism intermittently transporting a paper sheet on a transport
path; a plurality of processing units arranged along the transport
path so as to process the paper sheet; an information acquisition
unit arranged at an entrance of the transport path or upstream of a
most upstream unit of the processing units so as to obtain paper
information from the paper sheet; and a control unit controlling
the transport mechanism and the processing units, wherein the paper
sheet is transported by the transport mechanism from unit to unit
between the processing units or between the information acquisition
unit and a most downstream unit of the processing units, and while
the transport mechanism pauses the transport operation, each of the
processing units processes the associated paper sheet, wherein the
control unit comprises a memory for storing the paper information
of the paper sheet to be processed for each processing unit, a
memory control section updating data of the memory in a manner such
that the paper information of the paper sheet associated with the
previous processing unit which has processed the paper sheet is
associated with the next processing unit every time the transport
mechanism transports, and a processing unit setting section
configuring the settings of each of the processing units for the
next processing operation based on the paper information of the
memory each time the processing operation of each of the processing
units is completed.
The type and number of processing units to be combined can be also
set appropriately.
In addition, the paper information obtained from the paper sheet by
the information acquisition unit is not limited to the
above-mentioned embodiment, and the paper information may include
all of the information necessary to set parameters to be adjusted
with respect to paper sheet to be processed for each processing
unit of the paper sheet processing apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
1 Paper sheet processing apparatus (Paper stack supplying
apparatus) 2 Paper stacking apparatus 3 Bookbinding apparatus 4
Clamper 5 Transport path 6 Transport mechanism 6a Rotary shaft 6b
Sprocket 6c Endless chain 6d Feed claw 7 First processing unit 7a
Jogging guide 8 Second processing unit 8a Press plate 9 Information
acquisition unit 10 Control unit 11 Plate 11a Vertical wall 11b
Horizontal wall 12 Memory 13 Memory control section 14 Processing
unit setting section 15 Sensor 16 Paper existence determination
section 17 Data array
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